What’s On: The annual Balham Comedy Festival

The annual Balham Comedy Festival returns to its full glory in 2019 with nine nights of merriment planned from July 5-13 at The Bedford pub.

Produced by Banana Cabaret’s Dave Vickers and John Moloney, comedy legend and star of BBC Radio Four’s The John Moloney Show, the 2019 Balham Comedy Festival will play host to an avalanche of top comedy names, some of whom will be giving sneak peaks of their forthcoming Edinburgh shows with work in progress sets.

With several comics already confirmed there will be an additional surprise guest announced on June 23, but this year’s line-up includes the likes of Angela Barnes, Marcus Brigstocke, Ed Byrne, Omid Djalili, Simon Evans, Rhys James, Milton Jones and Al Murray performing solo sets.

And if this is not enough to whet the appetites of the laughter-hungry, there will be a comedy merry-go-round of sparkling twenty minute sets from comics appearing on the Best of Banana Cabaret bill.

Confirmed names such as Stephen K Amos, Shappi Khorsandi, Paul Sinha, Sindhu Vee, Simon Brodkin, Eleanor Tiernan, Kae Kurd, Maxine Vuvuzela, Carl Donnelly, Jarred Christmas, Dave Longley, Carey Marx, Steve Williams and Markus Birdman are set to take the stage.

Festival audiences are in for an additional treat this year following the multi-million-pound refurbishment of The Bedford.

This year it will take place in the Club Room on the ground floor and audiences will be able to enjoy the full force of great comedy in stunning new air-conditioned surroundings.

Just in time for the festival, The Bedford will also be launching a new menu brimming with the best British produce, from small plates to artisan pizzas, hearty mains to indulgent puddings, it’s now the perfect spot for a pre-show meal.

There are even 15 new luxury hotel rooms if you’d like to stay the night too.